SI Takes JUMP! to the Children of Kosovo
It was June 30. Forty-two SI volunteers had just spent five days in the small South African village of Kamatipoort, sharing food, fun, and the love of Jesus with more
than a thousand children and adults at ZUBA!—our fun summer day camp, JUMP!
(Read about ZUBA!) Now, 23 of those volunteers were on their way to Kosovo for KERCE!—Kosovo's version of JUMP!
When the team arrived in Kosovo, they joined up with 37 other SI volunteers who had already been at work building sets and stages, pitching tents, sorting toys, and preparing
soccer fields for hundreds of eager Kosovar boys and girls. KERCE would take place at the Hereq elementary school, which Service International finished building in 2005.
Early the next morning the whole team was on the road by 7 a.m., and when they arrived at the school, the children were already lining up. Then the fun began: music, dancing, jumping, face-painting, games, crafts, and plenty of soccer at the 4th Annual Clyde Perry Soccer Tournament.
Sixty three soccer-passionate teams participated this year.
An evening concert in downtown Gjakova wrapped up the KERCE celebration. The city closed its Main Street, a stage was built, and the citizens of Gjakova helped SI volunteers celebrate the USA's Independence Day. The Jesse Clyde Band rocked the crowd and everyone loved the songs of
award-winning Kosovar pop singer Flaka (pronounced
flocka) Krelani.
These Kosovars love to celebrate July 4th and they are very outspoken about the fact that if Americans had not come to help them after the war, they would not have their freedom or their lives. These dear people are always quick to show their gratitude to SI volunteers. "Thank you, America. Thank you for coming."
After the music and fireworks, Pastor Jeff stepped onto the stage with a translator and began to preach. A hush fell over the entire street and everyone listened to his hope-filled words. Then KERCE 2008 was over. The next morning, most of the volunteers headed back home to the states while the remaining 23 boarded
a plane for Liverpool, England, for the last leg of this summer journey of outreach and missions to the world.
